Dublin musician Declan O'Rourke is following the path of Irish indie act Ash and superstar Beyonce by abandoning the release of an album in favour of a more independent approach.

Beginning this week, the singer- songwriter will release one song a month for several months in a yet-untitled project which can be accessed by fans through email.

"It takes a very long time to put out an album, perhaps two or three years when you take into account production, touring and promotion," said the 38-year-old.

"This is just an alternative avenue to get an album out there and is three times as fast."

The innovative method of distribution is a suitable way to mark the 10th anniversary of his debut album, Since Kyabram, which achieved double platinum status in Ireland and confirmed his prominent place in the Dublin's singer-songwriter scene.

"It was really quite intense throughout the Nineties and early 2000s, but I arrived quite late on the scene in 2004," said the Ballyfermot man of the era that launched the careers of Damien Rice, Gemma Hayes and Paddy Casey.

However, the Galway-based musician believes the music industry has largely moved on in the decade that has passed since he first wowed the critics.

"The people that came through like Glen Hansard did really well from it and are still about, but the doors do seem to have closed on it slightly," he said.

"It's a different scene now, partly because there aren't the same venues about and also because young bands are becoming more popular.

"Record companies would go out and actively seek out upcoming songwriters, but the demand perhaps just isn't there any more."

According to O'Rourke, his music career's longevity can be explained by the passion he has for his craft and "the nice, slow build" it took for him to achieve success.

He gigged extensively for a number of years prior to the release of the first of his three albums.

The star, who received his first guitar at the age of 13, has recently returned home from an Australian tour - the first time he has performed in the country for five years - and said he was looking forward to playing one of his favourite Dublin venues, Vicar Street, on October 11.